In each, someone was simulating operating a 30-foot-tall robot in the game
BattleTech Firestorm, one of thousands of events at the Origins Game Fair, which runs
through Sunday at the Downtown convention center.

“You won! You won!” shouted 10-year-old Kileigh Zielinski as he cheered for his brother, Collin,
15, who was playing in one of the pods.Gaming fans from throughout the country are in Columbus for
Origins, the second-largest such fair in North America. They come together to play their favorite
games — trading-card games, board games and live-action role playing — and learn about new ones
that are soon to be released.

“Most people have a favorite area, but this event gives them a chance to break out and try a new
demo and just expand their horizons,” said John Ward, executive director of the Game Manufacturers
Association.

The fair offers nearly 3,500 events from 8 a.m. until midnight daily.

Some games are played around the clock. In 2003, Origins set the Guinness World Record for
longest role-play game, lasting about 116 hours, Ward said.

The association runs the fair, which was started in 1975 and is now the second-largest event at
the convention center, behind the Arnold Sports Festival, Ward said. Organizers expect 20,000
people to attend this year.

The Zielinski family, from Cleveland, has made Origins their family vacation spot since Collin
was 3 years old. “The kids love this event; they think it’s a lot more fun than Disney World, and
it’s a lot cheaper, too,” said Mark Zielinski, the children’s father. “This is a great family
atmosphere. We meet up with friends we haven’t seen all year at this event.”

Although more-graphic and mature-rated games are available, they’re featured during an “After
Dark” program that minors can’t attend.

“We attend a lot of events, and we feel very comfortable with our kids coming here,” said Kristi
St. Clair of Atlanta. “There are a lot of things for kids to do, and we know they’re going to be
treated well.”

The fair features two special guests — Kevin Sorbo and Ioan Gruffudd. Both will sign autographs
on Friday and Saturday.

Sorbo is best known for his role as Hercules in the 1990s TV series
Hercules: The Legendary Journeys. Gruffudd is famous for his role of Mr. Fantastic in
Fantastic Four and
Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer.